Texas News

ARTICLE

Date

ArticleType

3/30/2017

Press Release

TAB Statement on North Carolina action regarding HB 2

AUSTIN, TEXAS—The following statement regarding the North Carolina Legislature’s decision to make changes to House Bill 2 should be attributed to Chris Wallace, President, Texas Association of Business:

“HB 2 has done immense damage to North Carolina’s economy and bogged down its legislature for more than a year now. Lawmakers in that state, staring down a hard deadline from the NCAA to repeal the discriminatory law or lose championship games for at least five years, are finally taking action.

“While not a full repeal, and while far from perfect, North Carolina lawmakers are finally waking up to the fact that HB 2 has had dire consequences – including an estimated $3.76 billion in losses, disruption of job creation, stifling of investment and a negative reputation that hurts businesses’ ability to recruit and retain top talent.

“It remains to be seen whether the enactment of HB 142 in North Carolina will solve the economic woes brought on by HB 2. That’s why the Texas business community has made clear that discriminatory laws have no place in Texas in the first place. This kind of legislation is risky business.

“The turmoil of the past year, coupled with today’s action by North Carolina lawmakers, should send a loud and clear message to our own Texas Legislature: reject Senate Bill 6, a discriminatory and unnecessary bill that does nothing to address safety.”